Union troubled by Eagle Scout project in Allentown

[bijou]

In pursuit of an Eagle Scout badge, Kevin Anderson, 17, has toiled for more than 200 hours hours over several weeks to clear a walking path in an east Allentown park.

Little did the do-gooder know that his altruistic act would put him in the cross hairs of the city's largest municipal union.

Nick Balzano, president of the local Service Employees International Union, told Allentown City Council Tuesday that the union is considering filing a grievance against the city for allowing Anderson to clear a 1,000-foot walking and biking path at Kimmets Lock Park.

"We'll be looking into the Cub Scout or Boy Scout who did the trails," Balzano told the council.

Balzano said Saturday he isn't targeting Boy Scouts. But given the city's decision in July to lay off 39 SEIU members, Balzano said "there's to be no volunteers." No one except union members may pick up a hoe or shovel, plant a flower or clear a walking path.

"We would hope that the well-intentioned efforts of an Eagle Scout candidate would not be challenged by the union," said Mayor Ed Pawlowski in an e-mail Friday. "This young man is performing a great service to the community. His efforts should be recognized as such."
...

  http://www.mcall.com/news/all-a8_5scout.7084728nov15,0,6238384.story

[thundley4]

Government union workers would rather see s job undone than to let volunteers do the work.  I have a suspicion that this is why it's never considered to have wlefare recipients do roadside/park  clean up.

[Ralph Wiggum]

"We'll be looking into the Cub Scout or Boy Scout who did the trails," Balzano told the council.

Balzano said Saturday he isn't targeting Boy Scouts. But given the city's decision in July to lay off 39 SEIU members, Balzano said "there's to be no volunteers." No one except union members may pick up a hoe or shovel, plant a flower or clear a walking path.

You...have...got...to...be...kidding...me.

Hey Balzano: 

[jinxmchue]

You...have...got...to...be...kidding...me.

Hey Balzano: 

  times 2:

 

[Ptarmigan]

You...have...got...to...be...kidding...me.

Hey Balzano: 

Unions need to eradicated.

[Chris_]

Balzano said Saturday the union is still looking into the matter and might cut the city a break.

"We are probably going to let this one go," Balzano said .

Wow, how generous of him. 

[bijou]

Wow, how generous of him. 

Probably because some people would be picking up pitchforks, lack of union card notwithstanding. 

[Chris_]

Probably because some people would be picking up pitchforks, lack of union card notwithstanding.  

Yup. Writing on the wall.

Here in AZ, we just averted a strike by the UFCW (grocery store workers). Supposedly, an agreement was reached. But speculation is the union caved because the members didn't want to quit working to go on strike plus Fry's and Safeway received thousands of applications for the temporary positions.

I think the union realized their employees were easily replaceable and this was a battle they would have lost.

This isn't the time for unions to be their usual asshole selves.

[Thor]

Minnesota has the same problem, especially in the metro area. Minneapolis & St Paul are filthy in some areas and could be cleaned up by people in jail, prison, people doing court ordered community service work, etc, but NOOOOOOooooo, the unions won't allow that. So, instead, the Twin Cities starts to look like a dump and Minnesota residents have higher taxes, all because of the unions.

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

The same SEIU that is beating up townhall participants, smashing Dem campaign HQs and trying to frame the GOP and in bed with ACORN like a Roman orgy.